Singing from his own experiences of love and sorrow, Charles Aznavour was an international singing sensation in the 1950s and '60s. Being married three times, Charles Aznavour sings of unrequited and frustrating love. He is credited as being a singer, songwriter and actor performing in Shoot the Piano Player, Candy and The Tin Drum.
Charles Aznavour was born Chahnour Varinag Aznavourian in the Latin Quarter in 1924. His father was an Armenian cook while his mother was an actress and a seamstress. With encouragement from his parents, Charles Aznavour made his theatrical debut as a dancer at the age of nine. After performing with Jean Daste's dramatic troupe, he formed a nightclub act in 1944 with singer, composer Pierre Roche. During this partnership, Charles Aznavour wrote lyrics and began to be internationally known. This duet was short-lived. With encouragement from Mistinguette, Maurice Chevalier and Edith Piaf, he began performing on his own. His career began slowly but grew to include film, stage and theater.
Unfortunately for Aznavour, his songs were banned from French radio because they were too risque. His songs were drawn from his own life and love experiences, revolving around the philosophy of "Live now -- tomorrow, who knows?" His fame as a singer and songwriter came only after his acting debut.
He made his Paris debut at the Cinema Alhambra. He appeared in Andre Cayatte's Tomorrow Is My Turn, earning himself the best-acting award at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival for his performance. He also played a pathetic neighborhood piano player in Francois Truffant's Shoot the Piano Player. His credits also include composing the title song for the 1970 film Love Story. It was a combination of appearing in stellar films and his melancholy songwriting that made Charles Aznavour a star in the entertainment industry. In his quest for truth in love and sorrow he overcame the obstacle of being banned from the airwaves to become a '50s and '60s musical genius. His raspy style of singing made his love songs even more believable and touching.
Aside from his acting, singing and songwriting, Charles Aznavour has three children and a passion for racing sports cars. He married his third wife, Ulla Thorsell, in Las Vegas in 1967. He is known as being a teetotaler and a milk drinker. His life philosophy is "I can relax eternally when I'm dead -- Life has to be lived."
